Watson had failed to show up after being given £10 by his victim and another man for a cannabis deal.

Prosecuting, Harry Hadfield said: “Darren Watson left with the money and never returned.

“When he did eventually return to the hostel he told the security guard not to tell anyone he was in.”

But the pair went looking for him and knocked on his flat door, shouting for him to come out.

“They wanted to know where the money or the drugs were,” said Mr Hadfield.

“One of the hostel workers comes and says ‘Get yourselves back upstairs”.

The court heard Watson carried out the attack on the stairs, after his victim walked out of one of the flats.

The man first kicked out after seeing Watson who retaliated with the blade. CCTV showed him stabbing his victim, who was bent over, in the stomach four or five times.

Injuries were caused to the man’s gastric wall and he also received a cut to the arm.

Stephen Constantine, defending Watson, said there had been a history between his client and the victim.

“Mr Watson didn’t go in armed with a knife initially to attack the complainant, it’s only after he is struck,” he said.

Watson had numerous convictions, mainly for thieving and assaults.

After hearing of his past, Judge Morris slammed Watson for his life of crime.

“When you come out I hope it has given you time to think about the type of person you are and the damage you have done to society,” he told him.

Watson, 40, of Wilson Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of amphetamine, which was found during a strip search following the stab attack.